Must-visit small towns

September 4, 2015 2:25 PM

Photo: George Rose / Getty Images

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BOONVILLE: Cruise along scenic Highway 128 to this Anderson Valley hamlet known for its Boontling-speaking residents and its tasty libations. (Drive time: 2.25 hours)
Read more: Grab a quick taste of Anderson Valley less

BOONVILLE: Cruise along scenic Highway 128 to this Anderson Valley hamlet known for its Boontling-speaking residents and its tasty libations. (Drive time: 2.25 hours)
Read more: Grab a quick taste of Anderson ... more

GUERNEVILLE: Whether you fancy strolling along an eclectic Main Street, floating down a river in a canoe or kicking back with some bubbly, the Russian River town of Guerneville has you covered. (Drive time: 1.5 hours)
Read more: Cowboy culture with a Russian River twist less

GUERNEVILLE: Whether you fancy strolling along an eclectic Main Street, floating down a river in a canoe or kicking back with some bubbly, the Russian River town of Guerneville has you covered. (Drive time: 1.5 ... more

JACKSON : Located in the heart of the California Mother Lode,... Photo-6097406.82966 - SFGate

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MURPHYS: The Murphys Hotel on Main Street — where John Muir once stayed — is one of the few buildings remaining from when the Calaveras County community was a boomtown. (Drive time: 2.5 hours)
Read more: Murphys has plenty for wine tasters less

MURPHYS: The Murphys Hotel on Main Street — where John Muir once stayed — is one of the few buildings remaining from when the Calaveras County community was a boomtown. (Drive time: 2.5 hours)
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Photo: The Chronicle

MURPHYS : The Murphys Hotel on Main Street — where John Muir... Photo-6097407.82966 - SFGate

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OCCIDENTAL: With its numerous steeples, dense foliage and houses tucked into the hillside, Occidental could double for a New England village in the fall. (Drive time: 1.5 hours)
Read more: A coastal escape in tiny Occidental less

OCCIDENTAL: With its numerous steeples, dense foliage and houses tucked into the hillside, Occidental could double for a New England village in the fall. (Drive time: 1.5 hours)
Read more: A coastal escape in ... more

SONORA: Washington Street runs through historic Sonora, a one-time mining camp that is located on the edge of both the Stanislaus National Forest and Yosemite National Park. (Drive time: 2.5 hours)
Read more: Gold town Sonora still strikes it rich less

SONORA: Washington Street runs through historic Sonora, a one-time mining camp that is located on the edge of both the Stanislaus National Forest and Yosemite National Park. (Drive time: 2.5 hours)
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GUALALA: By the late 1870s, a traveler could get from this coastal community to San Francisco in one long day (train and ferry). Nowadays, the travel time is around three hours, and according to readers, a day spent Gualala is worth every minute spent in the car. (Drive time: 3 hours)
Read more: Gualala getaway: Do-it-yourself luxury the key to St. Orres Inn less

GUALALA: By the late 1870s, a traveler could get from this coastal community to San Francisco in one long day (train and ferry). Nowadays, the travel time is around three hours, and according to readers, a day ... more

Photo: Stephen Saks, Getty Images/Lonely Planet Images

GUALALA : By the late 1870s, a traveler could get from this... Photo-6097410.82966 - SFGate

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MENDOCINO: Located on a bluff overlooking the Pacific, this village is so magical (quaint, gorgeous, charming, enchanting — the list of honeyed adjectives goes on and on) that it should come as no surprise to learn that the whole town is listed on the National Register of Historic Places. (Drive time: 3 hours) less

MENDOCINO: Located on a bluff overlooking the Pacific, this village is so magical (quaint, gorgeous, charming, enchanting — the list of honeyed adjectives goes on and on) that it should come as no surprise to ... more

Photo: Bob Stefko, Getty Images

MENDOCINO : Located on a bluff overlooking the Pacific, this... Photo-6097411.82966 - SFGate

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SIERRA CITY: Visitors cross the Kentucky Mine walkway to the stamp mill in Sierra City. Early miners, pushing heavy ore carts across this walkway, had no handrails. (Drive time: 3.5 hours)
Read more: Mining town a hiker haven less

AUBURN: At the crossroads of Interstate 80 and Highway 49, Auburn offers a taste of Gold Rush history in both its Old Town (pictured) and Downtown. (Drive time: 2 hours)
Read more: Auburn's new gold standard: ... more

BOULDER CREEK: Just 30 minutes from Big Basin Redwoods State Park (California's oldest state park), Boulder Creek is just one of the small-town gems found in the San Lorenzo Valley. (Drive time: 1.5 hours)
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FORT BRAGG: Readers didn't seem to mind that the drive to Fort Bragg could take more than three hours. Maybe that is because this laid-back town has so much to offer: glass beaches, botanical gardens, architectural treasures and the sense of calm that comes with getting away from it all. (Drive time: 3.25 hours) less

FORT BRAGG: Readers didn't seem to mind that the drive to Fort Bragg could take more than three hours. Maybe that is because this laid-back town has so much to offer: glass beaches, botanical gardens, ... more

CARMEL: From its beaches to its stores, Carmel is one of the most dog friendly places you'll find in California. (Drive time: 2 hours)

CARMEL: From its beaches to its stores, Carmel is one of the most dog friendly places you'll find in California. (Drive time: 2 hours)

Photo: Sean Culligan, SFC

CARMEL : From its beaches to its stores, Carmel is one of the most... Photo-6097425.82966 - SFGate

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PESCADERO: White picket fences, a steepled church and a quaint main drag — this artichoke-growing community located two miles inland from the San Mateo Coast has that 'small-town' feeling down pat. (Drive time: 1 hour)
Read more: Pescadero: small coastal town with big options less

PESCADERO: White picket fences, a steepled church and a quaint main drag — this artichoke-growing community located two miles inland from the San Mateo Coast has that 'small-town' feeling down pat. (Drive ... more

PLACERVILLE: Step out of the lobby of the Historic Cary House Hotel and you're on Main Street of Placerville. (Drive time: 2 hours)

PLACERVILLE: Step out of the lobby of the Historic Cary House Hotel and you're on Main Street of Placerville. (Drive time: 2 hours)

Photo: Stephanie Wright Hession, SFC

PLACERVILLE : Step out of the lobby of the Historic Cary House... Photo-6097427.82966 - SFGate

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POINT REYES STATION: The North Pacific Coast Railroad no longer stops here, but visitors to the nearby Point Reyes National Seashore surely do. The town's A Street (Highway 1) is dotted with places to shop and eat. (Drive time: 1.25 hours hour)
Read more: Street Date: Highway 1 in Point Reyes Station less

POINT REYES STATION: The North Pacific Coast Railroad no longer stops here, but visitors to the nearby Point Reyes National Seashore surely do. The town's A Street (Highway 1) is dotted with places to shop and ... more

Photo: Lacy Atkins / The Chronicle

POINT REYES STATION : The North Pacific Coast Railroad no longer... Photo-6097428.82966 - SFGate

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SAN JUAN BAUTISTA: Sculptor Tom Marsh's statue of St. John the Baptist stands in front of the Old Mission San Juan Bautista. The mission, founded in 1797 and located in the heart of the town, offers visitors the opportunity to experience Old California. (Drive time: 1.5 hours hour)
Read more: Fault (and time) creep in San Juan Bautista less

SAN JUAN BAUTISTA: Sculptor Tom Marsh's statue of St. John the Baptist stands in front of the Old Mission San Juan Bautista. The mission, founded in 1797 and located in the heart of the town, offers visitors ... more

TOMALES: The rolling green hills of pastoral Marin County surround charming Tomales, which is located about three miles northeast of Tomales Bay. A 'jewel of the past,' the village is home to an array of architecture, from Queen Anne cottages to Craftsman style houses. (Drive time: 1.5 hours) less

TOMALES: The rolling green hills of pastoral Marin County surround charming Tomales, which is located about three miles northeast of Tomales Bay. A 'jewel of the past,' the village is home to an array of ... more

TRUCKEE: This Sierra Nevada gem, located 200 miles northeast of San Francisco, was recently added to the National Register of Historic Places. Not only rich in history, Truckee is also flush in things to do, from shopping to dining to four seasons' worth of outdoor activities. (Drive time: 3.5 hours) less

TRUCKEE: This Sierra Nevada gem, located 200 miles northeast of San Francisco, was recently added to the National Register of Historic Places. Not only rich in history, Truckee is also flush in things to do, ... more